Starting Something New

    Well, here I am...starting something I never thought I would--a blog!  The reason is simple, really, but requires some explanation.  On April 17th of this year I gave birth my second child, a beautiful baby boy named Micah Nathaniel.  He and his big sister, Macy, were huge blessings in my life because I was told before that there wasn't much of a chance for me to have any children at all.  On May 1st, just two weeks later, I found myself feeling very dizzy and disoriented, having a severe headache and paralysis on my left side.  I was having a massive stroke, and was rushed by ambulance to the nearest hospital, which just so happens to specialize in stroke treatment, among other things. 
     After five days, I was released, having only "minor" residual effects, including a weak left side and some cognitive problems.  It has been a long road these last few months.  I have learned something about fear.  It can paralyze you, or it can propel you.  For instance, there is a part of me who is afraid to turn my head for fear I'll damage my carotid artery again, who is afraid  to be taken off of blood thinners for fear of a second stroke.  And there is a part of me who, out of fear of leaving my children behind before I've really had a chance to teach them anything, is now starting this blog. 
      I'm writing with the hope that as I write this, I will be able to pass on at least one thing I want my children to know with each blog, in the event I for whatever reason, would not be around.  You may think this is morbid, and I guess you'd be right, sort of.  But I do not want to live with regret, or be faced with death, panicking to try tell my children all of these "pearls" all at once.  So, in honor of my very first blog, here is the very first thing I want Macy and Micah to know:  If fear can either paralyze or propel you, PLEASE let it propel you!